I'm converting a Guillows Thomas Morse Scout to an RC park flyer. I'm using a GWS Pico system with carbon fiber control rods. AT the servo, I simply bound a small piece of wire with a Z-bend in it to the rod using thread and glue. This seems very strong and light. At the control horns however I would like an adjustable attachment. Any suggestions? Du-bro makes a micro quick connect and I am considering that but it is for .040 wire and my rods are .052 inches. Do they make special conectors for CF rods?

I have a Katana MD coming. It has carbon fiber linkage also, so I'm looking at the options for linkage/connection to cf too. I found parts at http://www.centralhobbies.com. At the top of the page is a button called "pushrods". They put an exploded diagram of the parts they recommend.

I dunno' just yet what to recommend, but the ez connector, (it's a sleeve with a pinch type screw), doesn't appear to be the way to go with cf. It's too brittle. I have to wait until my plane gets here before I can eyeball the situation.

Sorry I'm not more help, but someone here will step up. I shall return to lurking.

The way I have set up my indoor flyers with carbon fiber rods is to use a figure 4 end or an L bend or a Z bend in the proper size wire and use heat shrink tubing to attach the wire to the CF rod.

On the servo end, stick the wire and the CF rod inside the heat shrink where they overlap and shrink the tubing with a heat gun. Then wick CA into the joint. That will lock the joint in place.

At the control surface end, make the same kind of connection, but shrink the tubing to the point where you can still move the joint. Adjust the control surface to neutral, then shrink the heat shrink completely. If all is straight, wick CA into the joint.

You may have to use a couple of layers of tinfoil behind the tubing to keep the heat off the airplane.

If you ever need to adjust the control surface, just cut away the tubing and redo the connection.

You could use a straight piece of wire on the end of the CF rod and then use the quick connectors. You just cannot tighten the connector down on the CF rod because it will shatter and fail.

I was going to try to use a quick connect directly on the rod but your comments made me reconsider. I've flown some larger scale RC and have gotten used to the du-bro threaded rod ends for adjustments so I guess I'm spoiled. Thanks for the ideas.

Here's one from way back that I still occasionally use to give a little adjustment in a push rod.

The main wire, (I use 18swg wire), has a 'zig-zag' bend in it that can be opened up or closed slightly for adjustment. I then use a 'keeper' wire at the horn/servo ends, (22swg), to retain the push rod and still allow easy removal.

Hope the picture explains it.

Attached Thumbnails

Ray in Wales
As I get older I think more and more about the hereafter.
I walk into a room, and think, 'now what was it that I'm here after?' :o